The usefulness of clinical measures of psychologic factors in patients with spinal pain.

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were to investigate whether a screening procedure could capture important psychologic factors with minimum burden to the patient and to investigate whether correlations exist among the various psychologic factors.

METHODS

A screening procedure consisting of the 11-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, a 2-question coping strategies screen, and the depression and anxiety subscales of the Bournemouth Disability Questionnaire was provided to consecutive patients with neck pain (NP) or low back pain (LBP) as part of the usual initial assessment process at a busy spine center, which includes chiropractic and physical therapy. Correlations and associations between these variables were determined.

RESULTS

Data were collected on 95 patients with NP and 260 patients with LBP. Statistically significant correlations and associations were found between all measures in both cohorts with the exception of depression and coping in patients with NP. Statistically significant associations were found among all measures in both cohorts with the exception of depression and coping and coping and fear in patients with NP.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that a screening procedure may provide useful clinical information regarding psychologic factors that are of potential relevance in patients with NP and LBP.